Influence 101

UCSD is searching for someone expert in the gentle art of political schmoozing to promote the giant taxpayer-funded institution with federal officials in Washington. Reporting to vice chancellor for research Sandra Brown, the new hire — to be known as the school’s executive director of “Government Research Relations” — will “be tasked with elevating the visibility of UC San Diego’s unique research capabilities through government advocacy,” according to an online job post.

The notice goes on to say the lobbyist will advise Brown and her boss, UCSD chancellor Pradeep Khosla, “on appropriate staff interactions with elected and appointed officials in Washington D.C. and elsewhere, as appropriate, to monitor and influence legislative and agency developments with potential to, or affecting, the University.”

Based in San Diego, the new director will “travel frequently to Washington D.C. and other locations, as needed,” and must have “proven knowledge of the relationship of federal, state and local research and public service priorities to the broader context of global concerns that lie at the nexus of public and private sector research activities,” whatever that means. Salary is to be set “commensurate with experience.”